About five years ago, as Patricia said, Joan no longer identified with the values of her surrounding community. So, in her seventies, she boldly decided to move to the largest local city with a major art museum: Buffalo. She got a small apartment on West Ferry Street and moved here with her dog. She made new friends, bought a membership at the Albright-Knox, and fell in love with the museum soon before it closed for renovations. It sounded like her relationship with the museum was rather short lived. When asked what she liked most, Pat said it was a regular habit for Joan to pop into the gift shop and buy postcards or other small things and share them with friends.
Whether Joan felt welcome and safe here, inspired by the exhibitions or stimulated by the programming, or if she was just happy to meet a smiling face while buying gifts for her friends, we are proud that she cared about the Albright-Knox so much—and we are moved by her generosity. Joan’s gift is ultimately helping to build the future Buffalo AKG Art Museum. In honor of her surprising generosity, her name will be proudly displayed among other patrons on the second floor Sculpture Terrace of the brand-new Jeffrey E. Gundlach Building.